Dave Duarte

Dave Duarte brings a wealth of experience leading change and impact for organisations and communities around the world.

As founder and CEO of Treeshake, Dave creates campaigns that have reached over a billion people — shifting behaviours, shaping policies, and sparking public engagement on issues ranging from the public health to renewable energy. 

A World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Dave has given talks in 25 countries, including on stages at Davos, TEDx, and the United Nations. His core message is simple but powerful: if you want to lead change, you need a story.

In the agency world, he pioneered digital transformation as the founder of the Ogilvy Digital Marketing Academy, helping one of the world’s largest ad groups adapt for the digital age.

Dave was Programme Director at the UCT Graduate School of Business, where he developed and taught Africa’s first executive level programmes on Digital Marketing and Leadership.

Passionate about learning, Dave serves as Chairman of the Reach Trust, scaling tech enabled solutions for early childhood development; and he serves on the academy for the Global Teacher Prize, the Oscars of education.

A trailblazer in the field of digital influence, Dave co-founded South Africa’s first social media agency, led Creative Commons South Africa, and is an experienced board member and top leadership advisor. He has co-authored five books, including the best-selling "The Book Every Leader Needs to Read."

His work is all about helping people and organisations connect strategically, act courageously, and work that matters.